Canadian Hesjedal Pulls Out Of Tour de France

CBC

Posted:
07/07/2012 7:08 am EDT
Updated:
09/06/2012 5:12 am EDT

Canada's Ryder Hesjedal competes in the 6,4 km individual time-trial and prologue of the 2012 Tour de France cycling race running around Liege on June 30, 2012. The 99th Tour de France, to be held from June 30 till July 22, will be made up of one prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3.497 kilometres. AFP PHOTO / PASCAL PAVANI | Getty Images

Giro d'Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal of Canada has withdrawn from the Tour de France after sustaining a left leg and hip injury during the crash-marred sixth stage of the race.

Hesjedal's Garmin-Sharp team said before the start of Stage 7 on Saturday that he is not able to pedal normally.

Team doctor Prentice Steffen said "the injury would only be worsened if he tried to ride today." Hesjedal was among at least two dozen riders caught up in a nasty crash with 16 miles to go Friday. He lost more than 13 minutes and dropped to 108th overall.

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Ryder Hesjedal At The Giro D'Italia

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Canada's Ryder Hesjedal sprays sparkling wine after winning the 95th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 27, 2012. Hesjedal won the 95th Giro d'Italia finishing 16 seconds ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez in the general classification after overhauling the Spaniard's lead on the final stage in Milan. Hesjedal started the 21st stage 31 seconds behind Rodriguez, but completed the 28.2-kilometer (17.52-mile) individual time trial in 34 minutes, 15 seconds to finish the race in a total time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds. He becomes the first Canadian to win the Giro. Marco Pinotti won the stage in 33:06. (AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari)

Canada's Ryder Hesjedal celebrates after winning the 95th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 27, 2012. Hesjedal won the 95th Giro d'Italia finishing 16 seconds ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez in the general classification after overhauling the Spaniard's lead on the final stage in Milan. Hesjedal started the 21st stage 31 seconds behind Rodriguez, but completed the 28.2-kilometer (17.52-mile) individual time trial in 34 minutes, 15 seconds to finish the race in a total time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds. He becomes the first Canadian to win the Giro. Marco Pinotti won the stage in 33:06. (AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari)

Canada's Ryder Hesjedal poses for photographers with his trophy after winning the 95th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 27, 2012. Hesjedal won the 95th Giro d'Italia finishing 16 seconds ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez in the general classification after overhauling the Spaniard's lead on the final stage in Milan. Hesjedal started the 21st stage 31 seconds behind Rodriguez, but completed the 28.2-kilometer (17.52-mile) individual time trial in 34 minutes, 15 seconds to finish the race in a total time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds. He becomes the first Canadian to win the Giro. Marco Pinotti won the stage in 33:06. (AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari)

Canada's Ryder Hesjedal kisses the pink jersey after winning the 95th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 27, 2012. Hesjedal won the 95th Giro d'Italia finishing 16 seconds ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez in the general classification after overhauling the Spaniard's lead on the final stage in Milan. Hesjedal started the 21st stage 31 seconds behind Rodriguez, but completed the 28.2-kilometer (17.52-mile) individual time trial in 34 minutes, 15 seconds to finish the race in a total time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds. He becomes the first Canadian to win the Giro. Marco Pinotti won the stage in 33:06. (AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari)

Canada's Ryder Hesjedal celebrates after winning the 95th Giro d'Italia, Tour of Italy cycling race, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, May 27, 2012. Hesjedal won the 95th Giro d'Italia finishing 16 seconds ahead of Joaquin Rodriguez in the general classification after overhauling the Spaniard's lead on the final stage in Milan. Hesjedal started the 21st stage 31 seconds behind Rodriguez, but completed the 28.2-kilometer (17.52-mile) individual time trial in 34 minutes, 15 seconds to finish the race in a total time of 91 hours, 39 minutes and 2 seconds. He becomes the first Canadian to win the Giro. Marco Pinotti won the stage in 33:06. (AP Photo/Fabio Ferrari)